Patient Care Technician - PCT

Fresenius Medical Care•Decatur, GA

8d•Onsite

About The Position

The Patient Care Technician (PCT) works as part of a dialysis health care team to provide safe and effective dialysis therapy under the direct supervision of a licensed nurse, following organizational policies, training, and applicable regulations. The role is responsible for setting up and operating hemodialysis machines, maintaining a safe and clean work environment, and supporting the Quality Enhancement Program (QEP), Continuous Quality Improvement (CQI) activities, patient satisfaction, and process improvement. The PCT welcomes patients, collects and records pre- and post-treatment weights and vital signs, evaluates vascular access, initiates and monitors dialysis treatments according to prescribed orders, responds to treatment issues as directed, and documents treatment information accurately. The role also supports patient education, laboratory specimen collection and handling, infection control, dialysis equipment preparation and cleaning, and training of applicable direct patient care staff under nursing supervision. In the Transitional Care Unit, the PCT follows newly admitted patients through their first four weeks of dialysis, reinforces education, coordinates care with appropriate staff, helps patients understand home dialysis and treatment options, performs treatments on unit machines, and assists with transition to the patient’s chosen modality and with supply inventory. The position involves direct patient care in a health care facility, travel between assigned facilities and community locations, interaction with patients and care teams, exposure to infectious materials, and frequent standing, bending, lifting, and moving patients or equipment. A high school diploma or GED is required. The employee must meet applicable CMS-approved certification requirements within the required timeline, satisfy applicable state licensure, education, and training requirements, and successfully complete the organization’s dialysis training program and CPR certification to remain employed.

Requirements

High school diploma or GED.
Meet CMS-approved state and/or national certification requirements within the required state or CMS timeline.
Meet all applicable state licensure, education, and training requirements.
Demonstrate commitment to the organization’s culture, values, and customer service standards.
Successfully complete the organization’s dialysis training program and CPR certification; continued employment depends on successful completion.
Take the Ishihara Color Blindness test as a condition of employment; failing the test does not preclude employment, and reasonable accommodations will be considered.
Ability to perform direct patient care involving heavy lifting and moving patients and assisting with ambulation, with equipment or coworker assistance available.
Ability to stand for frequent, prolonged periods and bend over.
Ability to occasionally push or pull equipment with up to 15 pounds of force; frequently lift and lower solutions weighing up to 30 pounds; and occasionally lift up to 40 pounds as high as five feet.
Ability to travel between assigned facilities and various community locations; travel to regional, Business Unit, and Corporate meetings may be required.

Nice To Haves

Previous patient care experience in a hospital setting or related facility is preferred.

Responsibilities

Welcome assigned patients and ask about their wellbeing since their last treatment.
Provide or reinforce patient-specific education about adequacy measures, disease processes, vascular access, infection control, dialysis products, home dialysis, and treatment options as allowed by state law and under appropriate supervision.
Evaluate vascular access for patency, perform cannulation, administer heparin as delegated or permitted by state law, and monitor access pressures during treatment.
Obtain and record pre-, intra-, and post-treatment vital signs and weights, perform patient evaluations, and document findings with initial identification.
Initiate, monitor, and discontinue dialysis treatments according to prescribed orders and established procedures.
Calculate and enter prescribed dialysis machine programming, including ultrafiltration goals, treatment time, and UF modeling; ensure required safety alarms are enabled.
Evaluate intradialytic problems, provide prescribed or directed interventions, monitor patient responses, and report significant changes or unusual findings to the registered nurse or supervisor.
Obtain hemostasis and apply appropriate dressings; evaluate patients before discharge and before termination of venous access.
Perform machine safety checks and required pretreatment alarm testing, including Pressure Holding (PHT), and initiate the Solution Delivery System (SDS).
Obtain prescribed laboratory tests; prepare, collect, label, store, and arrange courier collection of specimens according to laboratory requirements.
Clean blood spills promptly with appropriate disinfectant and clean and disinfect dialysis machines, chairs, equipment, and surrounding areas between treatments.
Prepare and use supplies and equipment efficiently to prevent wastage.
Monitor patients performing self-care under RN supervision.
Assist in training applicable direct patient care staff on appropriate programs under nurse supervision.
Complete and document participation in CQI activities; enter treatment data accurately and promptly; review treatment sheets for completeness and ensure omissions are corrected by appropriate staff.
Prepare initial patient charts and paperwork, and prepare or print laboratory requisitions for prescribed or stat specimens.
Assist with infection control audits, support adherence to infection control practices, and reinforce infection control education under the direction of the CM or designee as allowed by state law.
Follow newly admitted patients through their first four weeks of dialysis and coordinate transitional dialysis care.
Coordinate with appropriate staff to support the patient experience and ensure disciplines are scheduled according to the care plan.
Assist patients in understanding home dialysis products and benefits, demonstrate peritoneal dialysis setup, and help coordinate transitions to their chosen modality.
Set up and perform treatments on machines used in the Transitional Care Unit and assist with its supply ordering and inventory.
Maintain a safe and clean environment and follow organizational policies, procedures, systems, and ethical business practices.